Beverage container

ABSTRACT

A beverage container ( 11 ) comprising a body defining a receptacle, the receptacle having a pouring spout ( 15 ) and a handle ( 17 ) in opposed relation to the spout ( 15 ) to enable the jug ( 11 ) to be held such that it can be supported in both an upright and an inverted position, a partition ( 19 ) within the receptacle ( 11 ) defining a first space ( 21 ) having a closed lower end, and a plenum located against the internal face of the jug in opposed relation to the handle and having an opening at its lower end, a removable closure ( 29 ) at the lower end of the jug ( 11 ) adapted to close the lower end of the plenum.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to beverage containers

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that certain beverages are best consumed while they are chilled however, in warmer climates there is the problem of the beverage warming after it has been served from its refrigerated source. The addition of ice to the beverage to retard the rate at which the beverage warms after being served has been used for a very long time. However, with certain beverages, such as beer, the addition of ice is considered unacceptable due to the dilution of the beverage as the ice melts. Attempts have been made to avoid the problem of water diluting the beverage by housing the ice in a compartment separated from the beverage. In one such attempt, a compartment is provided centrally extending from a substantially circular base as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,486 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,892. While the cooling provided by this device may be effective, the container would be awkward to use especially in situations such as bars where it is expected that cooling medium compartment should be able to be filled with ice quickly and with minimal spillage. In addition, particularly with viscous beverages such as some juices, a compartment intruding into the beverage space would be disadvantageous as it provides an increased surface area to hold the beverage and impedes its flow during pouring and as a result beverage is often wasted. In addition the device would be difficult to clean.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a beverage container comprising a body defining a receptacle having an upper end and a lower end, the receptacle having a pouring spout at the upper and a handle in opposed relation to the spout to enable the container to be held such that it can be supported in both an upright and an inverted position, a partition within the receptacle defining a first space having a closed lower end, and a plenum located against a portion of the internal face of the container which is in opposed relation to the handle and having an opening at its lower end opening into the lower end of the receptacle, a removable closure at the lower end of the container adapted to close the opening, the lower end having a base adapted to support the beverage container.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the inner end of the partition terminates at the lower end of the receptacle at an intermediate position across the lower end whereby the opening forms a portion of the lower end most adjacent the portion of the inner face.

According to an alternative feature of the invention the partition extends across the interior of the receptacle to overlie the lower end in spaced relation to the lower end. According to one embodiment the opening defines the lower end of the receptacle. According to another feature of the embodiment the rear-most portion of the partition proximate the handle is located deeper in the receptacle than the forward-most portion proximate the portion of the interior wall. According to a further feature the rear-most portion is arcuately convex with respect to the plenum. According to a further feature the forward-most portion is arcuately concave with respect to the plenum.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the upper edge of the receptacle is formed without inwardly directed formations which extend laterally across the space defined by the receptacle.

According to a preferred feature of the invention a plurality of said beverage containers are stackable one upon another in a stable relationship. According to one embodiment the interior of the receptacle in the region at the outermost event of the forward-most portion is configured and dimensioned to receive the base of a beverage container of corresponding form in a non-jamming relationship.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the partition is thinner than the wall of the receptacle.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of several specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the beverage container according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the beverage container according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the beverage container according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded elevation of the base of the beverage container and the closure according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a is a side elevation of the beverage container according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the beverage container according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an underneath isometric view of a jug according to the second embodiment with the closure removed; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional side elevation of a jug according the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The first embodiment as shown at FIGS. 1 to 4 takes the form of a jug 11 which is suitable for serving of beer or other beverages where it is desired to maintain the beverage in a chilled state. The jug 11 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises an external wall 13 which defines the interior of the jug. The upper edge of the front face of the wall is formed with a spout 15 and a handle 17 is provided on the wall in opposed relation to the spout. The handle 13 is configured such that when the jug is held by a user it can be readily held in an upright position and in an inverted position. The space defined by interior of the wall 13 is divided into two spaces by a partition 19 which extends across the lower portion of the space from the lower end of the space to a position on the forward portion of the interior below the spout 15 to form a first space 23 which is used to accommodate the beverage and a plenum 21 between the partition 19, the internal face of the receptacle at its forward portion and the base of the jug. The thickness of the partition 19 is reduced compared with the thickness of the wall 13 to improve the heat transfer of heat between the first space and the plenum.

As shown at FIG. 4 the base of the jug is provided with a downwardly directed flange 25 having a thread on its outer radial face. The flange is associated with a threaded closure 27 which is threadably engagable with the flange 20. The lower end of the plenum is open and opens into the confines of the flange 25 whereby the closure 27 enables the plenum 21 to be sealingly closed. The lower face 29 of the closure 21 is planar and provides a base to provide stable support for the jug when placed on a surface. To enhance its stability in this use, the side wall of the closure 21 is downwardly divergent in order to increase the area of the lower face 29.

In use ice or another suitable cooling medium is introduced into the plenum and is sealingly retained by the closure 27. As a result the contents of the jug can be cooled or maintained in a cool condition by the presence of the cooling medium in the plenum. In many cases once a jug has been filled it is used to fill glasses fairly soon after filling and as a result the volume of beverage in the jug which is to be kept cool is reduced which maximises the cooling potential of the cooling medium. In order to fill the plenum, the closure 27 is removed from the jug and the plenum 21 is filled with ice through the open end defined by the flange 25. When the plenum is full the closure 27 is applied to the flange 25 to close and seal the plenum 21. The jug is then filled with beverage by pouring the beverage into the first space 16.

By virtue of the plenum 21 being alongside the forward portion of the wall 13 and thus opposite the handle 17, ice may be introduced into the plenum 21 by scooping the open end of the jug as defined by the flange 25 through a body of crushed ice. Unlike the prior art referred to above, the jug need only be scooped into the crushed ice to a depth equal to width of the open end of the plenum 17. This avoids the problem inherent with the prior art which required the jug to be introduced into the body of crushed ice virtually for its full width in order that the cooling space could be filled. In busy environments where the filling is done quickly, this could be inconvenient and could result in ice being spilt from the trough, as well as causing discomfort to the user as a result of the user's hand contacting the ice.

In addition the jug of the first embodiment provides cooling to the beverage during the pouring operation. This is because the partition is located adjacent the forward portion of the inner face of the receptacle which has the effect that during the pouring of the beverage from the jug the beverage passes over the partition which extends for a considerable portion of the height of the forward face towards the spout and is cooled. This is particularly the case where the jug is less than full.

In addition, it has been found that by having the ice compartment located alongside the interior face of the side of the receptacle the first space may be cleaned more easily than it is believed would be the case with the prior art referred to above. In particular, the jug according to the first embodiment may be cleaned by conventional mechanised cleaning devices currently in use.

Furthermore the configuration of the internal face of the first space is configured to enable the contents of the first space to readily flow from the first space 23 when the jug is tipped. This can be of considerable advantage where the contents comprise a viscous beverage such as a fruit pulp or juice.

The second embodiment as shown at FIGS. 5 to 8 also comprises a jug 111 which is suitable for serving of beer or other beverages where it is desired to maintain the beverage in a chilled state. The jug 111 comprises an external wall 113 which defines the interior of the jug. The upper edge of the front face of the wall is formed with a spout 115 and a handle 117 is provided on the wall in opposed relation to the spout. The handle 117 is configured such that when the jug is held by a user it can be readily held in an upright position and in an inverted position. The upper edge of the wall 113 is free of any protuberances which extend across the open mouth of the jug or outwardly from the wall 113.

As is best shown at FIG. 8 the space defined by interior of the wall 113 is divided into two spaces by a partition 119 which extends across the space from the lower portion of the rear face of the of the interior to a position on the forward face of the interior which is located above the level of the rear edge of the partition to form a first space 123 which is used to accommodate the beverage and a plenum 121 between the partition 119, the internal face of the receptacle at its forward portion and the base of the jug. The thickness of the partition 119 is reduced compared with the thickness of the wall 113 to improve the heat transfer of heat between the first space and the plenum. In addition the partition is convoluted in profile to be formed with an arcuate depressed portion 131 at its lower extent in the region of the rear face of the of the interior and an arcuate raised portion 133 at its upper extent in the region of the front face of the interior.

The base of the jug which is defined by the plenum is provided with a downwardly directed flange 125 which is associated with a closure 127 which is sealingly engagable with the flange whereby the closure 127 enables the plenum 121 to be sealingly closed. The lower face 129 of the closure 127 is planar and provides a base to provide stable support for the jug when placed on a surface.

In use ice or another suitable cooling medium is introduced into the plenum and is sealingly retained in the plenum by the closure 127. As a result the contents of the jug which are contained in the first space 123 can be cooled or maintained in a cool condition by the presence of the cooling medium in the plenum 121. In many cases once a jug has been filled, it is used to fill glasses fairly soon after filling and as a result the volume of beverage in the jug which is to be kept cool is reduced which maximises the cooling potential of the cooling medium.

In order to fill the plenum, the closure 127 is removed from the jug and the plenum 121 is filled with ice through the open end defined by the flange. When the plenum is full the closure 127 re-applied to close and seal the plenum 121. The jug is then filled with beverage by pouring the beverage into the first space 123.

By virtue of the greatest proportion of the plenum 121 being located alongside the forward portion of the wall 113 and thus opposite the handle 17, ice may be introduced into the plenum 121 by scooping the open end of the jug as defined by the flange 125 through a body of crushed ice. Unlike the prior art referred to above, the jug need only be scooped partially into the crushed ice to fill most of the plenum 121. This avoids the problem inherent with the prior art which required the jug to be introduced into the body of crushed ice virtually for its full width in order that the cooling space could be filled. In busy environments where the filling is done quickly, this could be inconvenient and could result in ice being spilt from the trough, as well as causing discomfort to the user as a result of the user's hand contacting the ice.

In addition the jug of the first embodiment provides cooling to the beverage during the pouring operation. This is because a significant proportion of the partition is located in the forward portion of the space defined by the wall 113 and which has the effect that during the pouring of the beverage from the jug the beverage passes over the partition towards the spout and is cooled. This is particularly the case where the jug is less than full.

In addition, it has been found that by having the plenum located alongside the interior face of the side of the space defined by the wall 113 and above the bottom of the space the first space may be cleaned more easily than it is believed would be the case with the prior art referred to above. In particular, the jug according to the second embodiment may be cleaned by conventional mechanised cleaning devices are currently in use.

Furthermore the configuration of the internal face of the first space is configured to enable the contents of the first space to readily flow from the first space 123 when the jug is tipped. This can be of considerable advantage where the contents comprise a viscous beverage such as a fruit pulp or juice.

In addition in the case of the second embodiment the jug is readily stackable with a number of other jugs of corresponding form whereby the stacked jugs form a stable assembly. This stackablilty is achieved by the unencumbered upper edge of the upper wall which is not formed with any inwardly directed flanges. In the case of jugs which have been used in the past it is common practice to provide inwardly directed flanges in the region of the spout where the flanges are intended to restrain any ice floating in the beverage in the jug from passing from the jug when the beverage is being poured from the jug. In the case of the second embodiment the presence of the plenum which is used to contain the cooling medium avoids the need for the flanges. In addition the arcuate raised portion 133 which is provided by the partition 119 at the lower portion of the first space provides a support surface for the base of a second jug which is stacked in the jug. The arcuate raised portion 133 also prevents the movement of the base of the second jug into jamming engagement with the internal face of the first jug. The non-jamming support which is provided by the arcuate raised portion 133 enables several jugs to be safely stacked one upon the other. This has not been a characteristic of jugs which have been in use in the past.

In the case of both embodiments, when compared with jugs according to the prior art referred to above, the jugs of the embodiment can have an overall volume which is reduced without compromising the volume of beverage which can be accommodated by the jug or its cooling effectiveness.

In addition in the case of both embodiments, as a result of the configuration of the plenum which extends upwardly over the forward portion of the interior of the wall of the jug the cooling of aerated beverages is enhanced. This is because of the convection-like currents which are induced in the beverage by the rising bubbles of the beverage which will cause the beverage to flow over the partition defining the plenum. In addition the upward extent of the partition will induce convection currents in the fluid as it is cooled on coming into contact with the partition.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above. 

1. A beverage container comprising a body defining a receptacle having an upper end and a lower end, the receptacle having a pouring spout at the upper and a handle in opposed relation to the spout to enable to container to be held such that it can be supported in both an upright and an inverted position, a partition within the receptacle defining a first space having a closed lower end, and a plenum located against a portion of the internal face of the container which is in opposed relation to the handle and having an opening at its lower end opening into the lower end of the receptacle, a removable closure at the lower end of the container adapted to close the opening, the lower end having a base adapted to support the beverage container.
 2. A beverage container as claimed at claim 1 wherein the inner end of the partition terminates at the lower end of the receptacle at an intermediate position across the lower end whereby the opening forms a portion of the lower end most adjacent the portion of the inner face.
 3. A beverage container as claimed at claim 1 wherein the partition extends across the interior of the receptacle to overlie the lower end in spaced relation to the lower end.
 4. A beverage container as claimed at claim 3 wherein the opening defines the lower end of the receptacle.
 5. A beverage container as claimed at claim 3 or 4 wherein the partition has its rear-most portion proximate the handle is located deeper in the receptacle than its forward-most portion proximate the portion of the interior wall.
 6. A beverage container as claimed at claim 5 wherein the rear-most portion is arcuately convex with respect to the plenum.
 7. A beverage container as claimed at claim 4 or 6 wherein the forward-most portion is arcuately concave with respect to the plenum
 8. A beverage container as claimed at claim 1 wherein the upper edge of the receptacle is formed without inwardly directed formations which extend laterally across the space defined by the receptacle.
 9. A beverage container as claimed at claim 1 wherein a plurality of said beverage containers are stackable one upon another in a stable relation.
 10. A beverage container as claimed at claim 9 wherein the interior of the receptacle in the region at the outermost extent of the forward-most portion is configured and dimensioned to receive the base of a beverage container of corresponding form in a non-jamming relationship.
 11. A beverage container as claimed at claim 1 wherein the partition is thinner than the wall of the receptacle.
 12. (Cancelled) 